Yashodhara Enz
February 2026
Yashodhara
Enz
,
BSN, RN, C-EFM
Labor and Delivery
Denver Health and Hospital Authority
Denver
,
CO
United States
She honored every fear I had while encouraging every ounce of strength I didn’t know I still had.
When I was admitted for my induction, I was the most frightened I have ever been. All of my family and friends were all the way back in Central Florida, and I was in a state I had never given birth in, in a hospital that held no memories for my loved ones or me. I was scared, overwhelmed, and completely alone.
After two previous cesarean births and an induction that had once ended in surgery, I was terrified that this induction would fail too — and that I would face a third C-section, something my heart deeply hoped to avoid. But the moment I walked into my room and saw Nurse Yashodhara’s smile, everything inside me shifted. She introduced herself with a warmth and gentleness that reached me on a soul level.
Something within me knew instantly that with her, I was safe. With her, I was at peace. With her, everything would be alright. Her presence felt grounded and reassuring — a steady, calm strength behind her glasses and neatly tucked bun. Even before my labor truly began, she created a sense of safety that I had been desperately needing.
My labor was long, emotional, and full of unknowns. Several nurses cared for me throughout the process, each stepping in when Yashodhara took a break. They were kind — but whenever she returned to my room, I felt an immediate sense of relief. I knew things would be done correctly, carefully, and respectfully. I knew I would be cared for in the highest way a nurse can care for someone.
With every interaction, she showed me immaculate attention to cleanliness and sterility, unwavering respect for my dignity, patience, gentleness, and compassion, and the kind of warm, steady presence that makes a laboring mother feel seen, protected, and truly cared for. She spoke with kindness. She moved with purpose. She advocated quietly but powerfully. She honored every fear I had while encouraging every ounce of strength I didn’t know I still had.
When you are laboring alone — truly alone — the emotional weight is heavy. Yashodhara lifted that weight from me without ever making me feel like a burden. She treated me not just as a patient, but as a person deserving of tenderness, reassurance, and dignity. And in the end, she stood beside me as I achieved something incredibly rare: a successful VBA2C after a long, fully induced labor — my very first vaginal birth.
I will never forget the look of pride and joy in her eyes. She wasn’t just my nurse. She became part of my story, part of my strength, and part of the memory of one of the most defining moments of my life. I walked into that hospital terrified and alone. I walked out forever grateful that someone like Yashodhara existed in that moment, on that day, in that room. I want to recognize her compassion, her gentleness, her skill, her integrity, and the peace she gave me during the most vulnerable experience of my life. She is everything this honor represents and more.
After two previous cesarean births and an induction that had once ended in surgery, I was terrified that this induction would fail too — and that I would face a third C-section, something my heart deeply hoped to avoid. But the moment I walked into my room and saw Nurse Yashodhara’s smile, everything inside me shifted. She introduced herself with a warmth and gentleness that reached me on a soul level.
Something within me knew instantly that with her, I was safe. With her, I was at peace. With her, everything would be alright. Her presence felt grounded and reassuring — a steady, calm strength behind her glasses and neatly tucked bun. Even before my labor truly began, she created a sense of safety that I had been desperately needing.
My labor was long, emotional, and full of unknowns. Several nurses cared for me throughout the process, each stepping in when Yashodhara took a break. They were kind — but whenever she returned to my room, I felt an immediate sense of relief. I knew things would be done correctly, carefully, and respectfully. I knew I would be cared for in the highest way a nurse can care for someone.
With every interaction, she showed me immaculate attention to cleanliness and sterility, unwavering respect for my dignity, patience, gentleness, and compassion, and the kind of warm, steady presence that makes a laboring mother feel seen, protected, and truly cared for. She spoke with kindness. She moved with purpose. She advocated quietly but powerfully. She honored every fear I had while encouraging every ounce of strength I didn’t know I still had.
When you are laboring alone — truly alone — the emotional weight is heavy. Yashodhara lifted that weight from me without ever making me feel like a burden. She treated me not just as a patient, but as a person deserving of tenderness, reassurance, and dignity. And in the end, she stood beside me as I achieved something incredibly rare: a successful VBA2C after a long, fully induced labor — my very first vaginal birth.
I will never forget the look of pride and joy in her eyes. She wasn’t just my nurse. She became part of my story, part of my strength, and part of the memory of one of the most defining moments of my life. I walked into that hospital terrified and alone. I walked out forever grateful that someone like Yashodhara existed in that moment, on that day, in that room. I want to recognize her compassion, her gentleness, her skill, her integrity, and the peace she gave me during the most vulnerable experience of my life. She is everything this honor represents and more.